Coupled inductor output regulation

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes a power converter having a first switched inductor to supply current to a load. A second switched inductor is inductively coupled to the first switched inductor. A control circuit activates the second switched inductor in response to a change in the power requirements of the load, so as to remove energy stored in the first switched inductor and thereby regulate the output voltage of the power converter when load current is stepped downwards.

BACKGROUND

The description herein relates to information handling systems having power converters, and more particularly to such systems that present variable load conditions to such a power converter.

As the value and use of information continue to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system (“IHS”) generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

Most information handling systems include one or more power converters to convert power at a supply voltage (AC or DC) to power at a voltage expected by a particular electronic system component or by a group of such components.

SUMMARY

A power converter for an information handling system includes a first switched inductor to supply current to a load. A second switched inductor is inductively coupled to the first switched inductor. A control circuit activates the second switched inductor in response to a change in the power requirements of the load, so as to remove energy stored in the first switched inductor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a power converter according to an illustrative embodiment, for use in the information handling system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a power converter according to an embodiment that returns energy back to a power supply;

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate waveforms for the operation of the power converter of FIG. 3, with and without operation of the coupled inductor regulator.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate alternate embodiments of a power converter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system (“IHS”) includes any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information handling system (“IHS”), according to an illustrative embodiment. The IHS 100 includes a system board 102. The system board 102 includes a processor 105 such as an Intel Pentium series processor or one of many other processors currently available. An Intel Hub Architecture (IHA) chipset 110 provides the IHS system 100 with graphics/memory controller hub functions and I/O functions. More specifically, the IHA chipset 110 acts as a host controller that communicates with a graphics controller 115 coupled thereto. A display 120 is coupled to the graphics controller 115. The chipset 110 further acts as a controller for a main memory 125, which is coupled thereto. The chipset 110 also acts as an I/O controller hub (ICH) which performs I/O functions. A super input/output (I/O) controller 130 is coupled to the chipset 110 to provide communications between the chipset 110 and input devices 135 such as a mouse, keyboard, and tablet, for example. A universal serial bus (USB) 140 is coupled to the chipset 110 to facilitate the connection of peripheral devices to system 100. System basic input-output system (BIOS) 145 is coupled to the chipset 110 as shown. The BIOS 145 is stored in CMOS or FLASH memory so that it is nonvolatile.

A local area network (LAN) controller 150, alternatively called a network interface controller (NIC), is coupled to the chipset 110 to facilitate connection of the system 100 to other IHSs. Media drive controller 155 is coupled to the chipset 110 so that devices such as media drives 160 can be connected to the chipset 110 and the processor 105. Devices that can be coupled to the media drive controller 155 include CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, hard disk drives, and other fixed or removable media drives. An expansion bus 170, such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, PCI express bus, serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) bus or other bus is coupled to the chipset 110 as shown. The expansion bus 170 includes one or more expansion slots (not shown) for receiving expansion cards which provide the IHS 100 with additional functionality.

Not all information handling systems include each of the components shown in FIG. 1, and other components not shown may exist. As can be appreciated, however, many systems are expandable, and include or can include some components that operate intermittently, and/or single components that can operate at multiple power levels. Thus an IHS generally has variable power needs. Individual components and/or subsystems of an IHS generally derive power from a power converter. The power converter accepts AC and/or DC input power at a first voltage, and supplies DC output power at a second voltage required by its load.

Power converters range in size. Large converters may supply standard voltages to bus-mounted components, drives, circuit boards, etc. Small power converters may power a single device package and be integral to that package or placed in close proximity to that package. In most cases, it is desirable for the converter to have small size, efficient operation, and good voltage regulation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a power converter 200 coupled between a power supply 210 and a load comprising a variable resistive load R_(L) and a parallel capacitance C_(L). The power supply supplies power at a nominal voltage V_(IN). The load requires power supplied at a component supply voltage V_(OUT).

The power converter comprises an output inductor L_(OUT), two switches (shown as MOSFET switches) M₁ and M₂, a control circuit 220, and a coupled inductor regulator 230. Inductor L_(OUT) and switches M₁, M₂ are arranged in a buck converter configuration. Inductor L_(OUT) is coupled between the power converter output and a node V₁. The drain/source current path of switch M₁ is coupled between power supply 210 and node V₁. The drain/source current path of switch M₂ is coupled between node V₁ and ground. The control circuit senses the voltage V_(OUT), and supplies alternating signals to the gates of M₁ and M₂. By adjusting a duty cycle (the ratio of the time M₁ is on to the time period between successive M₁ activations), control circuit 220 varies the average current I_(OUT) passing through L_(OUT), and thereby controls V_(OUT).

Because L_(OUT) stores energy in its field, it cannot instantaneously change I_(OUT) in response to variations in the current requirements of load R_(L). Thus capacitance C_(L) supplies or sinks initial changes in load current requirements, until L_(OUT) can adjust its field to the new value of I_(OUT). Unfortunately, as C_(L) supplies or sinks current it changes the value of V_(OUT). Unless capacitance C_(L) is sufficiently large (which may be undesirable from a cost or size standpoint), such voltage variations can fall outside the tolerances of the load. Particularly when C_(L) is sinking excess load current due to a reduction in the load current, voltage V_(OUT) may rise to a level that is harmful to the load.

Power converter 200 does not rely solely on C_(L) when R_(L) reduces load requirements such that V_(OUT) begins to rise unacceptably. Instead, when control circuit 220 senses V_(OUT) rising unacceptably, it activates coupled inductor regulator 230. Regulator 230, when activated, provides a second path for the energy stored in L_(OUT), allowing I_(OUT) to be reduced almost instantaneously. This approach can assist, in appropriate designs, voltage regulation when the load steps from a higher power requirement to a lower power requirement, by dissipating or shifting energy stored in L_(OUT) out of the power converter.

FIG. 3 shows a power converter embodiment 300, where a coupled inductor regulator comprises a MOSFET switch M₃ and an output regulation inductor L_(OR). One terminal of L_(OR) is coupled to the output of L_(OUT). The drain/source path of M₃ is coupled between the other terminal of L_(OR) and the power supply input V_(IN). The gate of M₃ is controlled by a gate signal V_(G3) supplied by control circuit 220.

L_(OR) is inductively coupled to L_(OUT), e.g., by winding the inductors on a common core. The winding is configured such that current I₁ through L_(OUT) can induce a current I₂ through L_(OR) that draws current away from the power converter output and returns the current to power supply 210. This not only provides voltage regulation when the load steps to a lower power requirement, but allows the energy stored in L_(OUT) to be recovered back to the power supply.

The turns ratio N:1 (N turns on L_(OR) for each turn on L_(OUT)) is related to the nominal power supply voltage and the nominal output voltage. For instance, assume that M₂ and M₃ are simultaneously activated, and ignore the voltage drops across M₂ and M₃ when those devices are conducting current. The voltage drop across L_(OUT) when M₂ is active is thus approximately V_(OUT). And the voltage drop across L_(OR) when M₃ is active is approximately V_(IN)−V_(OUT). Thus the design turns ratio is approximately (V_(IN)−V_(OUT))/V_(OUT). This provides a current ratio I1/I2 equal to the turns ratio, and allows L_(OR) to be effectively switched in/out during output regulation.

FIGS. 4 and 5 compare operation of power converter 300 under conditions of a stepped reduced load power, with and without activation of the output regulation inductor. First, in FIG. 4 gate signals V_(G1) and V_(G2) are supplied at one steady-state duty cycle to switches M₁ and M₂ in order to maintain current I_(OUT) at an average current value I_(A) required by R_(L). The actual load current I_(RL) is constant at I_(A), even though I_(OUT) varies slightly above and below this value as M₁ and M₂ are alternately switched. The small variations in I_(OUT) are compensated by corresponding variations in charging current I_(CL) supplied to capacitance C_(L).

At time T₁, load R_(L) reduces its current requirements from I_(A) to a lower current I_(B). The excess power converter output current is thus diverted to C_(L), and the power converter output voltage V_(OUT) begins to rise. Control circuit 220 senses the rise in V_(OUT) and begins reducing its duty cycle to compensate (the illustrated duty cycle response is not intended to be indicative of any particular control scheme or duty cycle control loop bandwidth). At least initially, L_(OUT) will continue to shift its stored energy to C_(L), causing V_(OUT) to continue to rise as C_(L) is charged. Eventually, I_(OUT) is reduced below I_(B) such that charge begins to be removed from C_(L) to power R_(L), and V_(OUT) begins to drop back toward its nominal value V_(NOM). In the meantime, V_(OUT) has risen above the maximum specified load voltage V_(MAX), and may have resulted in damage to a component connected to the node V_(OUT).

As the voltage V_(OUT) is reduced by supplying load current from C_(L), V_(OUT) may also significantly undershoot V_(NOM) as I_(OUT) has been reduced below I_(B) in order to compensate for the initial voltage overshoot, and time is required to reestablish the proper value of I_(OUT).

In FIG. 5, initial conditions are similar to those shown in FIG. 4 up through time T₁, when the load current is stepped from I_(A) to I_(B). As V_(OUT) rises above some threshold voltage, however, control circuit 220 decides that it cannot effectively control V_(OUT) just by adjusting the duty cycle of M₁ and M₂. Therefore during turn off of M₁, control circuit 220 activates M₂ and M₃ at T₂. The energy stored in the combined core of L_(OUT) and L_(OR) induces a current 12 in L_(OR), thereby reducing I_(OUT) during the “off” cycle of the power converter almost instantaneously. M₃ may be activated in conjunction with M₂ during multiple consecutive off portions of duty cycles, as necessary, until V_(OUT) reduces to a level that can be handled using duty cycle control alone. This reduces the charging current I_(CL) and allows V_(OUT) to stabilize and reverse before reaching V_(MAX), thus providing improved voltage regulation when the load steps from a higher or maximum load to a lower, minimum, or no load.

Other alternate arrangements are possible. For instance, in FIG. 6 a power converter 600 is similar to power converter 300 of FIG. 3. Switch M₃, however, is placed between the output node V_(OUT) and one terminal of L_(OR), and the other terminal of L_(OR) is connected to power supply node V_(IN). In either the FIG. 3 or FIG. 6 configuration, the connection to the power converter output node is optional—this node could alternately be connected to ground, with appropriate adjustments in the turns ratio (e.g., to a value V_(IN)/V_(OUT)).

FIG. 7 shows another power converter arrangement 700, similar to power converter 300. Instead of recovering excess energy from L_(OUT) back to the power supply, however, power converter 700 dissipates the excess energy to ground. Note that in this case, M₃ can be activated in conjunction with M₁ instead of M₂, with a turns ratio of 1:N instead of N:1. Alternately, the turns ratio can be set to 1:1 and M₃ can be activated in conjunction with M₂.

FIG. 8 shows another power converter arrangement 800, similar to power converter 300. Instead of recovering excess energy from L_(OUT) back to the power supply, however, power converter 800 transfers the energy to an output regulation circuit comprising a resistor R_(OR) in parallel with a capacitor C_(OR). The output regulation circuit can be another load in the information handling system, e.g., one with capacitance C_(OR) better suited than C_(L) to handling the excess energy from L_(OUT). The output regulation circuit could be a load that dissipates the energy through the resistor attached or could later be switched into the V_(in) circuit.

FIG. 9 shows another power converter arrangement 900, similar to power converter 800. FIG. 9 illustrates that the output regulation circuit can be only inductively coupled to LOUT, thus providing improved isolation between the two loads.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of circuit designs are available to implement a power converter using the teachings described herein. For instance, although a buck converter design is shown, similar principles can be applied to a boost power converter or buck/boost power converter.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of other modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. Also, in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be constructed broadly and in manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein. 

1. An information handling system comprising: an electrical load; a switched inductor power converter to distribute power at an output voltage and output current to the electrical load, the power converter including a first switched inductor; a coupled inductor regulator including a second switched inductor, inductively coupled to the first switched inductor; and a control circuit to activate the coupled inductor regulator in response to a change in the power requirements of the electrical load.
 2. The information handling system of claim 1, further comprising: a power supply, the coupled inductor regulator when activated diverting at least a portion of the output current from the first switched inductor to the power supply.
 3. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein the power supply supplies power at an input voltage to the switched inductor power converter for conversion to power at the output voltage.
 4. The information handling system of claim 3, wherein the turns ratio of the first inductor to the second inductor is related to the ratio of the nominal value of the output voltage to the nominal value of the input voltage.
 5. The information handling system of claim 3, wherein the power converter is a buck converter.
 6. The information handling system of claim 1, further comprising: the switched inductor power converter having a variable duty cycle having an on period and an off period, wherein the control circuit synchronizes the activation of the coupled inductor regulator with one of the on period and the off period of the power converter duty cycle.
 7. A method of supplying power to an information handling system, the method comprising: supplying power to one or more components of the information handling system through a switched inductor power converter having a first switched inductor; sensing a reduction in electrical load conditions placed on the switched inductor power converter; and in response to the sensed reduction, activating a second switched inductor, inductively coupled to the first switched inductor, to remove a portion of the energy stored in the first switched inductor.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein sensing a reduction in electrical load conditions comprises monitoring an output voltage of the power converter for increases in the output voltage.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein supplying power through a switched inductor power converter comprises operating the power converter according to a variable duty cycle having an on period and an off period, and wherein activating the second switched inductor comprises synchronizing the activation of the second switched inductor with on of the on period and the off period of the power converter duty cycle.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: the second switched inductor returning the energy removed from the first switched inductor to a power supply.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: the power supply supplying power at an input voltage to the power converter for conversion to power supplied to the one or more components.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: the second switched inductor directing the energy removed from the first switched inductor to ground.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: the second switched inductor directing the energy removed from the first switched inductor to an output regulation load.
 14. A power converter for an information handling system, the power converter comprising: a first switched inductor to supply current to a load; a second switched inductor, inductively coupled to the first switched inductor; and a control circuit to activate the second switched inductor in response to a change in the power requirements of the load so as to remove energy stored in the first switched inductor.
 15. The power converter of claim 14, wherein the second switched inductor is connected to a power supply when activated, and returns the energy removed from the first switched inductor to the power supply.
 16. The power converter of claim 15, wherein the power supply supplies input power to the power converter.
 17. The power converter of claim 15, wherein the second switched inductor is coupled when activated between the output of the power converter and the output of the power supply.
 18. The power converter of claim 15, wherein the turns ratio of the first inductor to the second inductor is related to the ratio of the nominal value of the power converter output voltage to the nominal value of the power supply output voltage.
 19. The power converter of claim 14, wherein the second switched inductor is connected to ground when activated, and dissipated the energy removed from the first switched inductor to ground.
 20. The power converter of claim 14, further comprising: an output regulation circuit, wherein the second switched inductor is connected to the output regulation circuit when activated. 